Session 2

Decision Support Systems Systems 150:127 -- D. Power

Today's Agenda -- Thurs., Jan. 11, 2007

1. Questions about course requirements, forming teams, etc.
2. Finding Excel files for tutorials
3. You should work on tutorials prior to class; you will make changes and enhance the worksheet and print out some materials by the end of the class session.
4. Discuss Ask Dan! What type of DSS is X?; Ask Dan! What is a Spreadsheet-based DSS?
5. Discuss Ch. 1 "Supporting Business Decision Making" review questions
6. Check Ch. 1 slide show at DSSResources.COM
7. Is the IS/IT system a DSS? Review list of characteristics from Power (2003):
1. Facilitation. DSS enhance, facilitate and support specific decision-making activities and/or decision processes.
2. Interaction. DSS are computer-based systems designed for interactive use by decision makers or staff users who control the sequence of interaction and the operations performed.
3. Ancillary. DSS can support decision makers at any level in an organization. DSS are NOT intended to replace any decision makers.
4. Repeated Use. DSS are intended for repeated use. A specific DSS may be used routinely or used as needed for ad hoc decision support tasks.
5. Task-oriented. DSS provide specific capabilities that support one or more tasks related to decision-making, including: intelligence and data analysis; identification and design of alternatives; choice among alternatives; and decision implementation.
6. Identifiable. DSS may be independent systems that collect or replicate data from other information systems OR subsystems of a larger, more integrated information system.
7. Decision Impact. DSS are intended to improve the accuracy, timeliness, quality and overall effectiveness of a specific decision or a set of related decisions.
8. What is the time line for major milestones in the history of DSS? Check DSSTimelinetable.htm. What should be added? Can we create a better way of sharing the information?

Upcoming and To do

For Class Session 3 -- Tues., Jan. 16

Read Ch. 2 "Gaining Competitive Advantage with DSS"; Ask Dan! What is the job of a decision support analyst? How does it differ from a DSS analyst?

Please answer the review questions, especially:

1. What is an example of a company that obtained a competitive advantage from a Decision Support System? What type of DSS was implemented?
2. How can DSS provide a firm a competitive advantage?
3. What are the potential benefits of a DSS?
4. What factors affect the level of risk associated with DSS projects?

For Class Session 4 -- Thurs., Jan. 18, 2007

Power, D. J., "Defining Decision Support Constructs," In Bui, T., H. Sroka, S. Stanek, J. Goluchowski (eds.), DSS in the Uncertainty of the Internet Age, Katowice, PL: Karol Adamiecki Univ. of Economics, 2003, pps. 51-62.